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Alright so, I'm starting riding again probably Mid to Late November, and I would like to try English. I've been working western for a little less than a year, and I'm not sure if I should stick to western until I get better and then go to English.
Also, do you think bareback work would help build riding skills quicker? I was thinking mostly because you can feel the horse better under you, and feel their movements so yu csn move with them. I'm just trying to work my way up, I haven't, in my opinion, been improving a lot but I think it's me, not my instructor doing bad or whatever. I'm pretty sure I just am too scared in the saddle to improve or something. |
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I rode bareback for some lessons when I went to horse riding lessons some time ago. If it helps any, when I rode bareback, I had to remember to keep my own balance when I rode. Since you've been away from riding for a while, yes l, I do believe it'd be a great idea for you to ride bareback for a while.
You're right, the bareback style does allow for clearer communication between you and the horse. I like to think it helps because when you don't have a saddle, it's harder practice because there's nothing to support your riding the way a saddle usually would. Plus, the saddle and riding style you wanna go into might feel a bit strange. Riding bareback might just help you get a better idea of what is going on when you change styles.
Is anything I'm saying making any sense? Let me know if I'm not. |
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I definitely think your skills and confidence would grow tremendously trying different disciplines and riding as many horses as you can. Even riding bareback at a walk will help you out. I used to be terrified to ride bareback because my horse is a bit of a spaz, so I took to riding a calmer smoother horse and now I can swing right up bareback and go for a full blown gallop across the pasture bareback (something I once thought I would never be able to do). If you feel yourself getting nervous, it always helped me to walk for 10 strides, then trot 2, walk for 9, trot 3, and so on so that I was trotting one more stride than before. Eventually I was able to do it as a 10 strides trot and 2 lope, then before long I was loping circles without a glitch. Bareback and English I have found really made my western riding better. This comes in handy when riding ornery or young horses that jump around, because if you can hang on and be a balanced, effective rider bareback or in an English saddle, western is much easier. Hope that helps and feel free to DM me with any questions - I love helping people out! |
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Yes, bareback is great. Improves your balance, your seat, your connect with your horse. I would also suggest watching others ride, watch videos of professionals or go watch a show near you. The more you watch the more you will notice the small movements they make, and eventually you will began to make them too. I also suggest for some in hand work, lunging, leading, try to play around with liberty. It can really boost your confidence and give you a break from just riding all the time. Also, if you are taking lessons, donÂ’t be afraid to ask to ride an easier horse. I find that it can really help you become more confident, which overall can help, even if it is for just one lesson.
For the English riding. Yes! Do it. Try it. Find yourself a good instructor, and slowly you will improve. With English there is much more technical work, (I found, I also started Western and switched over) and can be very confusing. I found watching videos with tips and tricks really helped. If you donÂ’t like it, or donÂ’t feel that you arenÂ’t ready for it after a try, then no harm done, go back to western. (Maybe try again in a few months) |
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Thank you, everyone so far! |
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Sunny Day with a Full Moon tonight
